Middlebury once again remains the team to beat in Division III women’s lacrosse, returning to the top spot in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20 after following a 2019 national championship with a trio of wins before the 2020 season ended abruptly due to COVID-19.

The Panthers have won 25 straight games since opening the 2019 season with a 11-10 loss to Bates and are hoping for a chance to extend that despite uncertainty still surrounding NESCAC play amid the pandemic. Several leagues entered the new year still awaiting a schedule or announcement of a return to play.

Tufts and Franklin & Marshall don’t appear too far behind Middlebury in terms of talent, but for now the most recent champions have the edge.

Continue below to see the rest of the top 20. Rankings are compiled by US Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors in consultation with college coaches.

Nike/US Lacrosse Rankings

Division I Men | Division I Women
Division II Men | Division II Women
Division III Men | Division III Women

NIKE/US LACROSSE
DIVISION III WOMEN’S PRESEASON TOP 20

1. Middlebury
2. Tufts
3. Franklin & Marshall
4. Gettysburg
5. Amherst
6. Washington and Lee
7. Bowdoin
8. Salisbury
9. Wesleyan
10. York
11. Catholic
12. TCNJ
13. Mary Washington
14. Colby
15. St. John Fisher
16. Ithaca
17. Denison
18. Brockport State
19. Colorado College
20. William Smith